President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly leaning toward another controversial figure for a critical national security position, Politico revealed Tuesday. Trump is said to favor Joe Kent, a far-right former congressional candidate, as the head of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), an agency tasked with advising law enforcement on terrorism and combating both domestic and international terror threats.
“Kent, an Army Special Forces veteran who briefly served at the CIA, has been working for the landing team in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Nat Sec Daily previously reported,” noted Politico. “After leaving government, he ran two unsuccessful bids for Congress in Washington state, despite receiving endorsements from Matt Gaetz, Michael Flynn, and Trump.”
Kent’s failed campaigns have been attributed in part to his connections with extremist figures. He gave an interview to Greyson Arnold, a Nazi sympathizer known for hateful rhetoric, including railing against “Jewish-led colored hordes of the Earth.”
Additionally, Kent appeared on a podcast with Nick Fuentes, leader of the white nationalist “Groyper” movement, where they discussed topics such as the “ideal ratio” of non-white or non-Christian people. In 2022, after losing to conservative Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Kent delayed conceding the election for over a month, further fueling controversy around his political conduct.
Trump’s consideration of Kent follows similar contentious national security nominations, including Kash Patel for FBI director and Tulsi Gabbard, a former Hawaii congresswoman and known conspiracy theorist, for director of national intelligence.
These picks have drawn widespread criticism from national security experts, who warn of the potential risks posed by individuals with divisive or extremist ties in sensitive government roles. Kent’s reported ties to extremist rhetoric and figures have raised significant concerns about his suitability to lead the NCTC.
The position requires impartiality and a strong commitment to safeguarding national security against threats of all kinds, making his controversial past a key point of contention.
Trump’s continued push for appointees with far-right allegiances reflects his broader strategy of prioritizing loyalty and ideological alignment over bipartisan approval, further polarizing debates about his administration’s direction on national security.